Midlands Bus System Gets New Name

The Midlands bus system will have a new name starting this fall: The COMET. 

The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA) unanimously approved the new branding at a meeting Wednesday. 

The name came from a local middle school student who attended a public forum that the CMRTA held at the Richland County Library in 2006. The student spoke with CMRTA member Lil Mood, who is still serving on the board.  

“From the moment I heard the name it resonated with me,” said Lil Mood, chair of the CMRTA Service Standards Committee. “I remember making a note of the idea, and when we began reviewing the new direction for the brand this year, this just felt right.”

The CMRTA board is working to revamp the bus system to fit the needs of the growing Columbia area after voters approved a transportation penny sales tax in November's election. 

The board developed a working group to study the rebranding, according to a CMRTA press release. Board members say the COMET fits because it includes C, M and T, which stands for Central Midlands Transit.

"Beyond that The COMET represents speed, dependability of schedule and a representation of the future and its boundless limits," the press release reads. "And the fiery and hot tail of The COMET would only be appropriate for a famously hot region."

The board is also planning to restore much of the midday and early-evening service starting May 13. Some Saturday service will be restored on major, high-performing routes.

The board also plans to introduce a fleet of 10 new mini-buses this fall and create benches and shelters to make riding the buses more convenient for Midlands residents.